Causeway Coast and Glens Arts Services has unveiled an exciting summer programme of arts activity at Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre in Limavady and Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart.
From May through to September there is a packed offering of live music, theatre, exhibitions, outdoor cinema, family events and creative workshops from May through September.
With strands inspired by storytelling, mythology, music, heritage, the Borough’s dramatic coastline and breathtaking landscapes, and a deep sense of community, this summer’s programme invites audiences of all ages to gather, imagine, make and celebrate place.
Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre
Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre opens its summer season with a major live music highlight as legendary Irish band Hothouse Flowers take to the Danny Boy Auditorium for an acoustic performance on Friday 1 May.
With a career spanning over four decades and following the success of their recent RTÉ documentary, this eagerly anticipated concert is set to be one of the standout events of the year at Roe Valley.
The live programme continues with a strong strand of theatre, music and spoken‑word events.
Theatre highlights include Isosceles Theatre’s acclaimed drama ‘The Man Who Left the Titanic’ (Saturday 2 May) a gripping and thought‑provoking exploration of J. Bruce Ismay and the questions of morality, survival and judgement that have surrounded his story for over a century. Touring to widespread acclaim, the production promises a powerful night of theatre.
Music lovers can also enjoy a performance by rising folk singer‑songwriter Michael McGovern (Saturday 6 June), while writer and mental health advocate Daragh Fleming appears on Friday 12 June with his deeply personal talk ‘Creativity – The Tool to Crafting Hope’, exploring the role of creativity in healing and wellbeing.
Comedy fans are well catered for as Belfast comedian Paddy McDonnell brings his brand‑new stand‑up show to Roe Valley on Friday 26 June.
At the heart of Roe Valley’s summer programme is ‘Wanderlore’ (25 July – 25 September), a vibrant new exhibition celebrating local myths and legends through the creativity of young artists.
Developed in partnership with seven local schools, 'Wanderlore' explores heroic deeds, mystical creatures and ancient stories, offering a joyful, imaginative reflection on Limavady’s cultural heritage.
Launching on Saturday 25 July, the exhibition forms the creative centrepiece of Roe Valley’s busy summer calendar.
A rich programme of free family activities and drop‑in workshops accompanies the exhibition, including fairy door making, Celtic clay pendants, mythical creature mask‑making and a special Cinemagic Foodbank screening of The Secret of Kells, designed to spark curiosity, creativity and storytelling through hands‑on activities.
Beyond the building, Roe Valley Arts will once again host the Arts Tent of Creativity at Stendhal Festival (Friday 3 July), while a wide programme of creative workshops runs throughout the season, with activities for children and adults ranging from sculpture, fused glass and comic illustration to jewellery making, printmaking and bookbinding.
Flowerfield Arts Centre
Flowerfield Arts Centre’s summer season offers a mix of live performance, exhibitions, outdoor events and hands‑on creativity by the coast.
The events line-up includes acclaimed National Theatre Live screenings, starting with ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ on Thursday 4 June, bringing world‑class theatre to Portstewart.
Live music highlights include Gráinne Duffy Unplugged (Friday 15 May), delivering blues‑infused Irish rock, and Polar Bolero on Friday 26 June, known for their bold, eclectic sound.
Free live music returns with the popular Saturday Lunchtimes Live in the Park, running from 18 July to 22 August, inviting audiences to enjoy music from the likes of Arco String Quartet, Northern Ireland Opera and the Causeway Mummers, in the relaxed surroundings of Flowerfield Park
Family audiences are at the heart of Flowerfield’s summer programme. As a proud Red Sails Festival partner, Flowerfield presents a lively programme celebrating Portstewart’s people and place, including the People of Portstewart exhibition, theatre performances and free and drop-in seaside‑inspired workshops.
The ever‑popular Films in the Park return on Friday 24 July, this year with a family favourite Trolls Band Together in the afternoon, followed by the feel‑good musical Hairspray in the evening.
Throughout July and August, the galleries host ‘The Sea We Share’, a magical exhibition by illustrators Czacarri Muli, EM Emerson and Corinna Askin, transforming the space into an imaginative ocean world with drop‑in creative activities for children.
Literary events include North Coast Book Club in Conversation Jan Carson on Saturday 1 August, alongside a short story writing workshop led by the award‑winning author.
The creative workshop programme is packed with on-off classes and courses for adults, with activities such as pottery, fused glass, quilting, plein‑air painting and willow weaving. Children’s creative workshops run alongside this, with additional free drop‑in and intergenerational sessions offering opportunities for families and different generations to create together.
Community engagement remains central to the season, with ‘Mums Meet & Make’ sessions for new parents in both centres, and a programme of creative workshops in Ballymoney and Ballycastle.
PLAN YOUR SUMMER
To plan your summer of creativity, performance and participation, download the digital Arts Guide at flowerfield.org and roevalleyarts.com or call into either arts centre to pick up a copy.
Writer and mental health advocate Daragh Fleming appears on Friday 12 June with his deeply personal talk ‘Creativity – The Tool to Crafting Hope’
The North Coast Book Club will be 'in conversation' with award winning author Jan Carson on Saturday 1 August,.